Fender assembly and adjustable mounting bracket therefor

ABSTRACT

A fender assembly comprising a fender and an adjustable bracket assembly that is adapted to adjustably mount the fender to the vehicle. The bracket assembly includes an arm with a longitudinal axis offset from and a fastener for rotationally mounting the bracket to a vehicle frame through and adjustable link. A vibration decoupler is mounted between the arm and the fender.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/064,350, filed Jul. 3, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fender assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle. Inone of its aspects, the invention relates to fender assembly thatincludes an adjustable mounting bracket. In another of its aspects, theinvention relates to an adjustable mounting bracket for mounting afender to a vehicle frame. In another of its aspects, the inventionrelates to a mounting bracket for mounting a fender to a vehicle whereinthe mounting bracket is adapted to mount above or below the fender andis also adapted to mount anywhere along the fender.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Heavy-duty vehicles, such as a semi-tractor, use fender assemblies tocover the otherwise exposed drive wheels of the tractor. Many fenderassemblies are adjustable to accommodate the various semi-tractorconfigurations and fender types. A common approach for accomplishing theadjustability of the fender assembly is to provide the assembly with anadjustable mounting bracket, which mounts the fender to the vehicleframe in a manner to permit the movement of the fender relative to thevehicle frame and wheels.

Prior mounting brackets comprise an elongated arm that is connected toand laterally offset from a rotationally adjustable mount. The elongatedarm extends generally laterally from the vehicle and mounts a portion ofthe fender. The rotationally adjustable mount is secured to the vehicleframe. The relative position of the fender to the vehicle and wheels canbe adjusted by rotating the rotationally adjustable mount to change theorientation of the elongated arm by moving the arm along an arc whosecenter point is the axis of rotation of the adjustable mount. The arcdefines the limited range of motion or adjustability for the bracket.Thus, the rotation of the adjustable mount simultaneously changes boththe fore/aft position of the arm relative to the vehicle and the heightof the arm relative to the ground. The arc is dictated by the offsetdistance.

The arm and mount can be separate pieces or formed as a single piece.The rotatable mount can comprise a tube that receives a bolt secured tothe frame by a nut. The mount can be rotated by loosening the nut androtating the tube and re-tightening the nut.

One disadvantage of the prior mounting brackets is that the range ofmotion defined by the arc for a given offset may not work for allcombinations of fenders and semi-tractors since there are a variety ofdifferent shapes and styles of fenders, and different semi-tractors havedifferent amounts of space in which the fender can be placed. Typically,different mounting brackets may be required to mount different parts ofthe fender to a vehicle frame.

It is desirable to have a mounting bracket assembly that has anadjustable offset to provide for multiple range-of-motion arcs andthereby accommodate many more combinations of fenders and semi-tractorswith a single bracket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fender assembly for a vehicle having alongitudinal frame supported by carrying ground-engaging wheelspositioned laterally of the frame. The fender assembly comprises afender of a relatively linear cross dimension adapted to overlie atleast one of the wheels and having an upper surface and a lower surface.An elongated support arm is mounted to either of the upper or lowersurfaces of the fender and have a longitudinal axis. A bracket assemblyis mounted to the support arm and has a connector for mounting thebracket assembly to the vehicle frame for rotation about axis ofrotation substantially parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axisof the elongated support arm to define an offset distance therebetween.According to the invention, The connector includes a length-adjustablelink to selectively adjust the offset distance between the longitudinalaxis of the elongated support arm and the axis of rotation of thebracket assembly.

The length-adjustable link in a preferred embodiment comprises a firstbracket mounted to the support arm, a second bracket coupled to theconnector, and the first and second brackets are coupled together forrelative movement therebetween. A releasable fastener extends throughthe first and second brackets such that when the releasable fastener isin an unreleased condition, the relative position of the first andsecond brackets is fixed, and when the releasable fastener is in areleased condition, the first and second brackets are adjustablerelative to each other. Preferably, the releasable fastener comprises abolt that extends through aligned openings in the first and secondbrackets and a nut threadably mounted on the bolt, wherein the bolt istightened to place the fastener in the unreleased condition, and thebolt is loosened to place the fastener in the released condition.

The invention further relates to a fender mounting bracket assembly fora vehicle with a longitudinal frame that carries ground engaging wheelsabove which is supported a fender. The fender mounting assemblycomprising an elongated support arm adapted to be mounted to either ofan upper or lower surface of the fender and defining a longitudinalaxis. According to the invention a length-adjustable link connection hasa first portion connected to the elongated support arm and a secondportion adapted to be rotatably mounted to a vehicle frame at arotational axis spaced from the longitudinal axis of the elongated arm.Adjusting the length of the link can thus change the offset spacingbetween the arm longitudinal axis and the rotational axis.

The length-adjustable link in a preferred embodiment comprises a firstbracket mounted to the support arm, a second bracket coupled to aconnector, and the first and second brackets are coupled together forrelative movement therebetween. A releasable fastener extends throughthe first and second brackets such that when the releasable fastener isin an unreleased condition, the relative position of the first andsecond brackets is fixed, and when the releasable fastener is in areleased condition, the first and second brackets are adjustablerelative to each other. Preferably, the releasable fastener comprises abolt that extends through aligned openings in the first and secondbrackets and a nut threadably mounted on the bolt, wherein the bolt istightened to place the fastener in the unreleased condition, and thebolt is loosened to place the fastener in the released condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a semi-tractorincorporating a fender assembly bracket according to the invention andcomprising a decoupler mounting the fender to an arm that is supported amounting bracket assembly comprising an adjustment bracket and amounting bracket connected to the vehicle, which permits the adjustmentof the offset between the arm and the mounting bracket.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded sectional view taken along line 2—2 ofFIG. 1 and illustrating a bottom-mount bracket assembly.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the adjustment bracket.

FIG. 4 is a right-side end view of the adjustment bracket illustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the mounting bracket illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a left-side end view of the mounting bracket illustrated inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a left-side end view of a mounting nut for securing theadjustment bracket to the mounting bracket.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the mounting nut taken along line 9—9 ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded sectional view similar to FIG. 2 butillustrating a bottom-mount bracket assembly.

FIG. 11 is a left-side end view of the top-mount bracket assemblyillustrated in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and FIG. 1 in particular, a portion of aheavy-duty vehicle in the form of a semi-tractor 110 has a frame 112 towhich are rotatably mounted, ground engaging wheels 114. A fenderassembly 116 according to the invention is mounted to the semi-tractorframe 112 and comprises a fender 118 and a bottom-mount bracket assembly120 and a top mount bracket assembly 121. The bracket assemblies 120,121 adjustably mount the fender 118 to the vehicle frame 112 such thatthe fender 118 can be moved relative to the frame 112. The fender 118includes a generally planar portion 122 that terminates in downwardlycurved arcuate ends 124.

The top-mount bracket assembly 121 is preferably used to mount thefender arcuate ends 124 to the vehicle frame by suspending the fenderfrom the bracket assembly 121. The bottom-mount bracket assembly 120 ispreferably located between the wheels and supports the center of thefender 118. Thus, the top-mount bracket assembly must generallyaccommodate mostly tensile loads, whereas the bottom-mount bracket mustaccommodate mostly compressive loads.

Referring the FIG. 2, the bottom-mount fender bracket assembly 120comprises vibration decoupling connectors or decouplers 126 and an armin the form of a shaft 128, which has a longitudinal axis extendingalong the longitudinal centerline of the shaft and is connected to anadjustment bracket 130 which is movably mounted to the vehicle frame 112through a mounting bracket 132. The mounting bracket 132, which isrotatably mounted through a bolt 182 to the vehicle frame 112, mountsthe adjustment bracket 130 for vertical adjustment with respect to themounting bracket through a second bolt 184. The adjustment bracket 130and mounting bracket 132 collectively form a length-adjustable link thatis rotatably coupled to the vehicle frame.

The decouplers 126 are preferably one of the block decouplers describedin US 2002/0024213 A1, whose disclosure has been incorporated byreference and will not be described in further detail. The shaft 128 ispreferably a tube and is made from a suitable non-corrosive metal. Analternative location for the mounting bracket 132 is shown in phantomlines in FIG. 2.

A vibration-resistant lock washer 164 is used in combination with thebolt 162. The lock washer aids in preventing the bolt from looseningbecause of the vibration forces acting on the mounting bracket assembly120.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjustment bracket 130 comprises atriangular body 140 having an adjustable mount 142 on one side and anadjustable shaft mount 144 on another side. A pair of spaced gussets 143extend from the adjustable mount 142 and the shaft mount 144 to form thelong side of the triangular body and define a channel 145 therebetweenthat terminates at the adjustable mount 142.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjustable mount 142 comprises aserrated surface 146 formed by multiple teeth arranged in spaced pairsand between which is formed an ovate opening 147. The serrations 146extend away from the body 140 and are disposed between guide edges 148,which extend away from the body 140 a distance greater than the extentof the serrations 146. The spaced guide edges 148 effectively define achannel in which the serrations 146 are positioned. The guide edges 148aid in the positioning and retention of a portion of the mountingbracket 132 therein.

The rotatably adjustable shaft mount 144 comprises a split ring 152 thatdefines a through opening 153. The split ring 152 has a clamping tab 154that overlies an embossment 156 extending from the body. The clampingtab 154 has a through opening 158 and the embossment 156 has a tappedblind opening (not shown) in axial alignment with the through opening158. A threaded bolt 162 (FIG. 2) is received in the opening 158 andthreaded into the blind opening to tighten the clamping tab 154 againstthe embossment 156 and thus to clamp a portion of the shaft 128. Theposition of the shaft 128 relative to the adjustment bracket 130 can beboth rotatably adjusted and laterally adjusted (as seen from FIG. 2) byloosening the bolt to unclamp the shaft 128, moving the shaft to thedesired position and then re-clamping by tightening the bolt 162.

A vibration-resistant lock washer 164 is used in combination with thebolt 162. The lock washer aids in preventing the bolt from looseningbecause of the vibration forces acting on the mounting bracket assembly120.

Referring to FIGS. 5–7, the mounting bracket 132 comprises a generallytriangular body 170 having an adjustable mount 172 on one side of thetriangular body and a rotational mount 174 on another side of thetriangular body 170. The rotational mount 174 in combination with thefastener formed by the bolt 182 and nut 183 forms a rotatable mount forcoupling the bracket assembly 120 to the vehicle frame. The axis ofrotation for the rotatable mount lies along the longitudinal centerlineof the bolt 182.

The adjustable mount 172 is complementary to the adjustable mount 142 onthe adjustment bracket 130. The adjustable mount 172 comprisesserrations 176, preferably formed by adjacent teeth arranged in twoparallel and spaced columns, which span a width less than the distancebetween the guide edges 148 and equal to the spacing of the serrations146.

The teeth forming the serrations 146 and 176 define a recesses betweenadjacent teeth. When the adjustment bracket 130 and mounting bracket 132are coupled together, the teeth of the adjustment bracket 130 andmounting bracket 132 are received within the recesses of the other ofthe adjustment bracket 130 and mounting bracket 132. Preferably, theteeth are sized such that the relative movement of the adjustmentbracket 130 and mounting bracket 132 for each tooth results in aquarter-inch relative movement between the adjustment bracket 130 andmounting bracket 132 along the plane defined by the serrations. Thesides of the mounting bracket 132 at the serrations 176 fit between theguide edges 148 to restrict sideways movement of the adjustment bracket130 with respect to the mounting bracket 132. An ovate opening 177 isformed between the serrations 176 and which is at least partiallyaligned with corresponding opening 147 on the adjustment bracket 130when the mounting bracket assembly 120 is assembled. The rotationalmount 174 comprises a cylindrical embossment 178 that extends partiallyfrom the triangular body 170 and defines a through opening 180. Thethrough opening is sized to receive a fastener, such as bolt 182 andcorresponding nut 183 to mount the mounting bracket 132 to the vehicleframe as noted in FIG. 3. In this manner, the bolt can be loosened topermit the rotational adjustment of the mounting bracket 132 to thevehicle frame and then tightened to fix the rotational position of themounting bracket 132 relative to the vehicle frame.

Although the through opening 180 is illustrated as being unthreaded, thethrough opening 180 can be threaded if desired, depending upon the typeof fastener.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8–9, a threaded bolt 184, nut 185 and washer190 mount the mounting bracket 132 to the adjustment bracket 130. Thewasher 190 is carried by the bolt 184, which extends through the alignedovate openings 147 and 177. The nut 185 preferably comprises a squarehead 187 from surrounding a threaded collar 191. The width of the head187 is slightly less than the width of the channel 145 formed by thegussets 143 to prevent the rotation of the nut 185 within the channel145.

The area of the head 187 contacting the adjustable mount 142 ispreferably greater than the cross-sectional area of the bolt 184 todisperse the load carried by the bolt 184 over a greater area of theadjustable mount 142. It is preferred that the head cross-sectional areais multiple times greater than the bolt cross-sectional area.

To mount the fender 118 to the vehicle frame 112, the fender is securedto the shaft 128 through the decouplers 126. The inboard end of theshaft 128 is then received within the split ring opening 153, positionedboth laterally and rotationally as desired, and then the bolt 162 istightened to fix the relative position of the shaft 128 and theadjustment bracket 130. Plugs 192 can be inserted into one or both ofthe ends of the shaft 128 to seal the interior of the shaft from theenvironment.

The adjustment bracket 130 is then mounted to the mounting bracket 132by inserting the adjustable mount 172 of the mounting bracket 132between the guide edges 148 of the adjustment bracket 130 so that theserrations 176 mesh with the serrations 146. If needed, the relativepositions of the adjustment bracket 130 and mounting bracket 132 can beadjusted by moving the serrations relative to each other. Once thedesired position of the adjustment bracket 130 and mounting bracket 132is reached, the nut 185 is positioned within the channel 145 and bolt184, carrying washer 190, is passed through the aligned openings 147 and177 and threaded into the nut 185. As the bolt 184 is tightened tocompressively retain the adjustment bracket 130 to the mounting bracket132, the serrations 146, 176 seat relative to each other.

To complete the assembly of the fender to the vehicle frame, themounting bracket 132 is then mounted to the vehicle frame by passing thebolt 182 through the through opening 180 into a corresponding opening inthe vehicle frame where the nut 183 is placed on the bolt and tightenedto compressively retain the mounting bracket 132 to the vehicle frame.The rotational position of the mounting bracket can be adjusted prior totightening of the fastener.

It should be noted that the particular assembly sequence of the fenderbracket assembly components (decouplers 126, shaft 128, adjustmentbracket 130, and mounting bracket 132) need not necessarily occur in thesame sequence as described above. Any sequence of assembly is within thescope of the invention. For example, in some situations, the technicianmay find it more convenient to assemble the decouplers 126 and shaft 128to the fender 118, then assemble the adjustment bracket 130 and mountingbracket 132 to the vehicle frame 112, and then mount the fender to theassembled adjustment bracket and mounting bracket.

It should further be noted that the final orientation of the fenderbracket assembly components need not necessarily be fixed upon theinitial assembly. It is anticipated that the technician will make finalor fine tuning adjustments between the fender 118 and decouplers 126.The decouplers 126 and the shaft 128, the shaft 128 and the adjustmentbracket 130, the adjustment bracket 130 and the mounting bracket 132,and finally, the mounting bracket 132 and the vehicle frame 112, toobtain the exact desired positioning of the fender relative to thevehicle frame after the initial fixing of the fender to the frame.

FIGS. 10 and 11 disclose a top-mount fender bracket assembly 216. Sincethe bottom-mount fender bracket assembly 216 is substantially identicalto the bottom-mount fender bracket assembly except for an alternativemounting bracket 194, only the alternative mounting bracket 194 will bedescribed in detail.

The mounting bracket 194 comprises a plate 220 having a pair of spacedserrations 222 extending from one side of the plate. A raised platform224 is located between the spaced serrations 222. A through opening 226extends through the platform 224. The platform is a support spacer somount 142 will not be distorted when tightening bolt 182.

When the mounting bracket 194 is mated with the adjustment bracket 130,the serrations mesh and the platform 224 lies between the serrations 176of the adjustment bracket 130. The platform 224 has a width slightlyless than the gap between the serrations 176 and a height slightly lessthan the height of the teeth of the serrations 176. Thus, the teeth ofthe serrations 176 and 222 will not enmesh unless the platform isreceived between the serrations 176. The guide edges 148 align the plate220 with the adjustment bracket 130 and maintain the serrations 222 inalignment with the serrations 176.

Unlike the mounting bracket 132 of the bottom-mount bracket, themounting bracket 194 uses the same bolt 184 to both mount the adjustmentbracket 130 to the mounting bracket 194 and the mounting bracket 194 tothe vehicle. Thus, the longitudinal axis of the bolt 184 defines theaxis of rotation. The mounting bracket 194 can be rotated relative tothe vehicle like the mounting bracket 132. The mounting bracket 194 doesprovide for closer spacing of the adjustment bracket 130 to the vehicle.

Since the mounting bracket 194 is shorter than the mounting bracket 132,it is contemplated that the shaft 128 will be longer for the top-mountbracket to compensate for the reduced length of the mounting bracket194.

Although it is preferred that different bracket assemblies be used forthe top and bottom mount, it is within the scope of the invention forthe top-mount to be used in place of the bottom-mount and vice-versa.One advantage of the top-mount is that it does not require as much spacebetween the fender and the wheels as does the bottom-mount. However, thebottom-mount is better suited to handle the compressive loads than thetop mount.

The invention has many advantages over prior art fender assemblies. Oneof the advantages is that the mounting bracket permits the adjustment ofthe offset between the arm and the rotational mounting of the bracket tothe vehicle by altering the spatial relationship between the adjustmentbracket and the mounting bracket to thereby adjust the length betweenthe axis of rotation and the axis of the shaft. The adjustment of theoffset permits the installer to select the arc through which the armwill traverse upon rotation of the mounting bracket. For a givenrotation, the greater the offset, the greater will be the fore/aft andvertical movement of the arm relative to the vehicle. Conversely, theless the offset, the less will be the fore/aft and vertical movement ofthe arm relative to the vehicle.

Another advantage of the invention lies in the ease of adjusting theoffset, which can be accomplished without disassembling the mountingbracket assembly. The bolt only need be loosened a sufficient amount topermit the release of the serrations, such that the adjustment bracketcan be slid relative to the mounting bracket. The bolt will still becoupled to the nut, which collectively will loosely couple theadjustment bracket and the mounting bracket, which greatly aids theinstaller since the adjustment bracket and mounting bracket arerelatively heavy and large, making it difficult or awkward for a singleperson to otherwise adjust.

The shape of the nut 185 also simplifies the adjustment of the offset.Since the nut 185 is shaped to prevent rotation when the nut is receivedwithin the channel 145, the installer need not be concerned with the“free-spinning” of the nut 185 while rotating the bolt 184. The fendershape is such that it can prevent one person from being positioned suchthat he can both tighten the bolt 184 and hold the nut 185. The shape ofthe nut 185 reduces the likelihood that a second installer will beneeded when tightening the bolt 184.

Another advantage is that the mounting bracket can be “flipped” as shownin phantom in FIG. 2, which provides for the adjustment bracket to besupported or suspended from the mounting bracket to further increase themounting flexibility of the mounting bracket assembly.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variationand modification are possible within the scope of the disclosure anddrawings without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. A fender assembly for a vehicle comprising a longitudinal framecarried above a road surface by ground-engaging wheels that arepositioned laterally of the frame, the fender assembly comprising: afender of a relatively linear cross dimension adapted to overlie atleast one of the wheels and having an upper surface and a lower surface;an elongated support arm mounted to either of the upper or lowersurfaces of the fender and having a longitudinal axis; a bracketassembly mounted to the support arm and adapted to be mounted to thevehicle frame for rotation about an axis of rotation substantiallyparallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the elongatedsupport arm to define an offset distance therebetween; the bracketassembly includes a first bracket mounted to the support arm and asecond bracket coupled to the first bracket for relative verticalmovement therebetween with a threaded fastener and a nut threaded ontothe threaded fastener to selectively adjust the offset distance betweenthe longitudinal axis of the elongated support arm and the axis ofrotation of the bracket assembly; wherein the nut comprises a base thatabuts the first bracket when the nut is tightened onto the threadedfastener and further comprises a collar extending from the base anddefining a threaded opening therethrough.
 2. The fender assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the first bracket comprises spaced flangesdefining a channel therebetween and the base of the nut has linear edgesthat interface with the channel to restrain relative rotation of the nutwith respect to the first bracket.
 3. The fender assembly according toclaim 2 wherein the base width is substantially equal to the channelwidth.
 4. The fender assembly according to claim 3 wherein the base isrectangular.
 5. The fender assembly according to claim 1 wherein the nutfurther comprises gussets extending between the collar and the base. 6.A fender assembly for a vehicle comprising a longitudinal frame carriedabove a road surface by ground-engaging wheels that are positionedlaterally of the frame, the fender assembly comprising: a fender of arelatively linear cross dimension adapted to overlie at least one of thewheels and having an upper surface and a lower surface; an elongatedsupport arm mounted to either of the upper or lower surfaces of thefender and having a longitudinal axis; a bracket assembly mounted to thesupport arm and adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame for rotationabout an axis of rotation substantially parallel to and spaced from thelongitudinal axis of the elongated support arm to define an offsetdistance therebetween; the bracket assembly includes a first bracketmounted to the support arm and a second bracket coupled to the firstbracket for relative vertical movement therebetween to selectivelyadjust the offset distance between the longitudinal axis of theelongated support arm and the axis of rotation of the bracket assembly;a releasable fastener extending through the first and second bracketssuch that when the releasable fastener is in an unreleased condition,the relative position of the first and second brackets is fixed, andwhen the releasable fastener is in a released condition, the first andsecond brackets are adjustable relative to each other; and wherein thesecond bracket further comprises a platform that acts as a support whenin the unreleased condition.
 7. The fender assembly according to claim 6wherein the releasable fastener comprises a bolt extending throughaligned first and second openings in the first and second brackets,respectively, and a nut threadably mounted on the bolt, wherein the boltis tightened to place the fastener in the unreleased condition, and thebolt is loosened to place the fastener in the released condition.
 8. Thefender assembly according to claim 6 wherein the first and secondbrackets each have a face with a serration and the serrations mesh whenthe fastener is in the unreleased position.
 9. The fender assemblyaccording to claim 8 wherein a pair of spaced, parallel serrations isprovided on the faces of the first and second brackets.
 10. The fenderassembly according to claim 9 and further comprising aligned first andsecond openings in the first and second brackets wherein the first andsecond openings lie between the parallel serrations and the releasablefastener extends through the first and second openings.
 11. A fenderassembly for a vehicle comprising a longitudinal frame carried above aroad surface by ground-engaging wheels that are positioned laterally ofthe frame, the fender assembly comprising: a fender of a relativelylinear cross dimension adapted to overlie at least one of the wheels andhaving an upper surface and a lower surface; an elongated support armmounted to either of the upper or lower surfaces of the fender andhaving a longitudinal axis; a bracket assembly mounted to the supportarm and adapted to be mounted to the vehicle frame for rotation about anaxis of rotation substantially parallel to and spaced from thelongitudinal axis of the elongated support arm to define an offsetdistance therebetween; the bracket assembly includes a first bracketmounted to the support arm and a second bracket coupled to the firstbracket for relative vertical movement therebetween to selectivelyadjust the offset distance between the longitudinal axis of theelongated support arm and the axis of rotation of the bracket assembly;the second bracket includes a flat face that is adapted to abut avehicle frame; a releasable fastener that is adapted to extend throughthe vehicle frame and through the first and second brackets such thatwhen the releasable fastener is in an unreleased condition, the relativeposition of the first and second brackets is fixed, and when thereleasable fastener is in a released condition, the first and secondbrackets are adjustable relative to each other and the first bracket isrotatable relative to the vehicle frame.
 12. The fender assemblyaccording to claim 11 wherein the releasable fastener comprises a boltextending through aligned first and second openings in the first andsecond brackets, respectively, and a nut threadably mounted on the bolt,wherein the bolt is tightened to place the fastener in the unreleasedcondition, and the bolt is loosened to place the fastener in thereleased condition.
 13. A fender assembly for a vehicle comprising alongitudinal frame carried above a road surface by ground-engagingwheels that are positioned laterally of the frame, the fender assemblycomprising: a fender of a relatively linear cross dimension adapted tooverlie at least one of the wheels and having an upper surface and alower surface; an elongated support arm mounted to either of the upperor lower surfaces of the fender and having a longitudinal axis; abracket assembly mounted to the support arm and adapted to be mounted tothe vehicle frame for rotation about an axis of rotation substantiallyparallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the elongatedsupport arm to define an offset distance therebetween; the bracketassembly includes a first bracket mounted to the support arm and asecond bracket coupled to the first bracket for relative verticalmovement therebetween to selectively adjust the offset distance betweenthe longitudinal axis of the elongated support arm and the axis ofrotation of the bracket assembly; a first releasable fastener extendingthrough the first and second brackets such that when the releasablefastener is in an unreleased condition, the relative position of thefirst and second brackets is fixed, and when the releasable fastener isin a released condition, the first and second brackets are adjustablerelative to each other; and a second releasable fastener that passesthrough the second bracket and is adapted to pass through the vehicleframe to rotatably mount the second bracket to the vehicle frame. 14.The fender assembly according to claim 13 wherein the second bracketcomprises a collar in which is formed an opening through which theconnector passes and an end plate connected to the collar and throughwhich the first releasable fastener passes.
 15. The fender assemblyaccording to claim 14 wherein the second bracket further comprises agusset connecting the end plate to the collar.
 16. The fender assemblyaccording to claim 15 wherein the end plate is spaced from the collar.17. A fender assembly for a vehicle comprising a longitudinal framecarried above a road surface by ground-engaging wheels that arepositioned laterally of the frame, the fender assembly comprising: afender of a relatively linear cross dimension adapted to overlie atleast one of the wheels and having an upper surface and a lower surface;an elongated support arm mounted to either of the upper or lowersurfaces of the fender and having a longitudinal axis; a bracketassembly mounted to the support arm and adapted to be mounted to thevehicle frame for rotation about an axis of rotation substantiallyparallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the elongatedsupport arm to define an offset distance therebetween; the bracketassembly includes a first bracket mounted to the support arm and asecond bracket coupled to the first bracket for relative verticalmovement therebetween to selectively adjust the offset distance betweenthe longitudinal axis of the elongated support arm and the axis ofrotation of the bracket assembly; a fastener releasably coupled to thefirst and second brackets such that when the releasable fastener is inan unreleased condition, the relative position of the first and secondbrackets is fixed, and when the releasable fastener is in a releasedcondition, the first and second brackets are adjustable relative to eachother; and wherein the first bracket comprises a releasable mount forrotatably mounting the elongated support arm thereto and an end plateconnected to the releasable mount, and wherein the releasable fastenerpasses through the end plate.
 18. The fender assembly according to claim17 wherein the releasable fastener includes a nut, and the first bracketfurther comprises a pair of spaced gussets connecting the end plate andthe rotatable mount and defining a channel therebetween in which the nutis received.
 19. A fender assembly for a vehicle comprising alongitudinal frame carried above a road surface by ground-engagingwheels that are positioned laterally of the frame, the fender assemblycomprising: an elongated support arm adapted to be mounted to either ofan upper or lower surface of the fender and defining a first horizontalaxis; a first bracket connected to the elongated support arm and havinga face with first gripping formations thereon; a second bracket having:a collar having an opening for rotatably mounting the second bracket toa vehicle frame at a second horizontal axis spaced from the firsthorizontal axis, and an end plate connected to and spaced from thecollar and having a face with second gripping formations thereon,wherein the second gripping formations are complementary to the firstgripping formations, whereby the first and second gripping formationsare adapted to restrain relative movement between the first and secondbrackets at least along an axis transverse to the first horizontal axisand the second horizontal axis when the first and second grippingformations are in contact with each other; a releasable fastener mountedto the first and second brackets for selectively securing the first andsecond brackets together with the first and second gripping formationsin facing contact with each other, wherein when the releasable fasteneris in an unreleased condition, the relative position of the first andsecond brackets is fixed, and when the releasable fastener is in areleased condition, the first and second brackets are selectivelyadjustable relative to each other along the axis transverse to the firsthorizontal axis to change the offset spacing between the armlongitudinal axis and the collar rotational axis.
 20. The fenderassembly according to claim 19 wherein the faces of the first and secondbrackets have openings therethrough and the releasable fastener passesthrough the openings.
 21. The fender assembly according to claim 20wherein the gripping formations comprise parallel serrations and theopenings in the faces of the first and second brackets lie between theparallel serrations of each of the faces.
 22. The fender assemblyaccording to claim 19 wherein the second bracket further comprises agusset connecting the end plate to the collar.
 23. A fender assembly fora vehicle comprising a longitudinal frame carried above a road surfaceby ground-engaging wheels that are positioned laterally of the frame,the fender assembly comprising: an elongated support arm adapted to bemounted to either of an upper or lower surface of the fender anddefining a first horizontal axis; a first bracket connected to theelongated support arm and having a face with first gripping formationsthereon and further comprising a releasable mount for rotatably mountingthe elongated support arm thereto; a second bracket having: a collarhaving an opening for rotatably mounting the second bracket to a vehicleframe at a second horizontal axis spaced from the first horizontal axis,and an end plate connected to the collar and having a face with secondgripping formations thereon, wherein the second gripping formations arecomplementary to the first gripping formations, whereby the first andsecond gripping formations are adapted to restrain relative movementbetween the first and second brackets at least along an axis transverseto the first horizontal axis and the second horizontal axis when thefirst and second gripping formations are in contact with each other; areleasable fastener mounted to the first and second brackets forselectively securing the first and second brackets together with thefirst and second gripping formations in facing contact with each other,wherein when the releasable fastener is in an unreleased condition, therelative position of the first and second brackets is fixed, and whenthe releasable fastener is in a released condition, the first and secondbrackets are selectively adjustable relative to each other along theaxis transverse to the first horizontal axis to change the offsetspacing between the arm longitudinal axis and the collar rotationalaxis.
 24. The fender assembly according to claim 23 wherein thereleasable mount is a ring clamp defining an arm opening in which thearm is received.
 25. The fender assembly according to claim 24 whereinthe ring clamp arm opening and the elongated support arm havecomplementary circular cross sections such that the arm can be rotatedwithin the opening when the ring clamp is unclamped and is rotationallyfixed when the ring clamp is clamped.
 26. The fender assembly accordingto claim 25 wherein the first and second gripping formations compriseserrations, and the first bracket further comprises an end plateconnected to the rotatable mount and one side of which forms thecorresponding face on which the serrations are located.
 27. The fenderassembly according to claim 26 wherein the releasable fastener comprisesa bolt extending through aligned openings in the first and secondbrackets and a nut threadably mounted on the bolt, wherein the bolt istightened to place the fastener in the unreleased condition and the boltis loosened to place the fastener in the released condition.
 28. Thefender assembly according to claim 27 wherein the first bracket furthercomprises a pair of spaced gussets connecting the end plate and therotatable mount and defining a channel therebetween in which the nut isreceived.
 29. The fender assembly according to claim 28 wherein the nutcomprises a base that abuts the first bracket when the fastener is inthe unreleased condition.
 30. The fender assembly according to claim 29wherein the base has linear edges that interface with the spaced gussetsto restrain rotational motion of the nut with respect to the firstbracket.
 31. The fender assembly according to claim 30 wherein a widthof the base abutting the first bracket is at least twice as great as across-sectional area of the bolt.
 32. The fender assembly according toclaim 31 wherein the base is of a width substantially equal to the widthof the channel.
 33. The fender assembly according to claim 32 whereinthe base is rectangular.